Move over pumpkins, California’s Christmas tree making way to state Capitol
California’s official Christmas tree is making its journey to Sacramento from Shasta County on Wednesday as the state Capitol prepares to usher in the winter holidays.
Halloween is on the doorstep, Thanksgiving a month away, but the 60-foot evergreen plucked from the La Tour Demonstration Forest will soon find its winter home on the west lawn of the Capitol at 10th and L streets.
The state tree was expected to arrive from Redding between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, said state Department of General Services officials.
Once the tree is installed, state Department of General Services crews will go to work trimming the tree over the next several days.
More than 200 ornaments created by children and adults with developmental disabilities will adorn the state Christmas tree, furnished courtesy of the state Department of Developmental Services. DGS officials say 10,000 LED lights will also be strung about the tree.
The eastern Shasta County forest where this year’s tree was harvested Tuesday is one of 15 state forests operated by Cal Fire. The forests are open for camping and hiking and feature stands of trees where people can cut Christmas trees.
The forests are also homes for research and to demonstrate advancements in forest management practices, said Department of General Services officials.
This story was originally published October 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM.
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